In the trailers, the project looks like an open-world RPG, but Pearl Abyss insists it's an "open-world adventure game," not an RPG. The PR department asked the media to remove the corresponding abbreviation from their materials.
The main argument is the absence of a classic experience (XP) and level system. According to the studio, without this foundation, the project cannot be classified as an RPG. Players object: Crimson Desert has skill trees, characteristics, inventory management, crafting, and numerous side quests. For many, this set is enough to consider the game a role-playing game.
Analysts attribute the developers' position to a desire to avoid comparisons with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Baldur’s Gate 3, where the emphasis on moral choice and deep role-playing is stronger. The studio likely wants to shift the focus to action and world exploration. It is easier for the media to explain to the audience what Crimson Desert is through comparison with other games.
As a reminder, in 2019, the developers of Cyberpunk 2077 changed the definition of the game's genre on the official website. Then the game turned from an "RPG" into an "open-world adventure."
The hype is fueling interest in the March premiere on PS5 and PC. Discussion of the genre is unlikely to subside until the game's release.